It is a rare occurrence when people
living vastly different lives, with a wide range of age, and business
administrative knowledge are joined together in a common effort to build
something; to establish a good thing which had not existed previously. This is
what happened in the RDL Gardiner Foundation Organizational Capacity Building
Project of 2021.
As we all know beginning in 2020,
and raising havoc to this day, massive national disasters have been caused by
the Covid-19 virus. No organization was spared from damage caused by the bug as
our project got off the ground in 2021. As non-profit corporations looked for
ways to recover, Higher Ground and the Gardiner "Dream Team," resorted
to the internet, and virtual technology for meetings, and classroom instruction.
The program ran the entire year in all phases of instruction and study using I.T.
and virtual meetings, and without interruption. It was amazingly successful.
The term "amazingly successful" is framed in a relationship which is the distance between were we were before Kathryn Curran presented the GOCBP, as compared to where we are now. After following the mandate to make modifications in several portions of Higher Ground governance, managerial staff, and marketing, our attention shifted toward having a more rigid structure that leans more toward functioning by modern laws instead of functioning by old standards that were far less restrictive. To continue, I will give you a better view of what we are now experiencing.
By no means have the modifications
been easy, especially when given the fact that a robust hi-tech infrastructure
must be installed, in conjunction with acquiring a fully trained staff. Whereas
previously we had the opportunity to adjust organizational function to match our
meager funding, we must now address things critical to our mission that require
vastly more monetary resources, resourcefulness, and innovation. Although
seeking funding to fulfill a mission and activities does create the largest
work effort of any organization, what is often not fully appraised, not fully
recognized, nor appreciated, or perhaps misunderstood, is the external community environment in which a non-profit is
functioning. Misjudging this appraisal can cause big problems for a
non-profit.
We will never forget Aria Camaione-Lind's
gentle, but persuasive instructions, and explanations about organization governance
and management as she guided us into compliance; and we will always remember the
hi-tech, computer prowess of Harold House walking us through the dizzying world
of marketing. We remember the gift of Erin Richardson's deep insightfulness as
she led us through the mine fields of intellectual property rights, and
collections policies. Finally, but not the least, are Joel Snodgrass' inspiring
lectures, instructions, and building condition know-how as he led us through
the hips and valleys of restoration building structural analysis. We also
remember Amanda Smith, project director, and program associates Carrington
Reynolds, and Matah Marcellus. Today, while we are still gaining familiarity
with our new level of achievement, we are not detached from our instructors. The
"Dream Team" consultants are obtainable at any time, which is
definitely reassuring.
The important thing that Higher
Ground participants soon realized is that the program is an unconventional concept. This is a far
reaching, ground-breaking concept that has produced an upgrade in HGICHA
capacity, but the RDL GOCPB is much greater than a funding opportunity. It does
not diminish the hopes of small, low profile historic preservation
organizations, such as Higher Ground, because expectations for growth and
development are not dashed to pieces by a letter of denial from a grantor. However,
by far the biggest impact of the RDL Gardiner Foundation "Dream Team"
consultation concept is that a much greater number of heretofore unrecognized
small non-profits, with historic preservation as their core purpose, and
exhibiting excellence in their mission, are now
in the pool of all organizations competing for funds. This concept brings
benefits to everyone; not just to a few. The Robert David Lion Gardiner
Foundation Organizational Capacity Building Program ended January 1, 2022.
Throughout all that happened in the
program, it was definitely a rewarding experience. But most of all, we simply want
to thank the Executive Director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, Kathryn
M. Curran, and her associates, and to let her know that due to her desire to assist
small, undeveloped non-profits which have exhibited excellence in the field of
historic preservation, that the Higher Ground organization today stands a lot
taller, and much stronger than it was prior to 2020.
